Struck-by and caught-between accidents can cause severe injuries resulting in permanent disability. However, these types of accidents are not the same. Struck-bys occur when a moving object strikes a victim, while caught-betweens occur when the victim becomes stuck between two objects, typically one moving and one stationary object.

If you sustained injuries caused by a caught-between or struck-by hazard, contact Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer at (877) 809-5352 for a free consultation with a highly qualified personal injury lawyer. We’ll explain your legal options and help you seek fair compensation for your injuries.

What Are Struck-By and Caught-Between Accidents?

Struck-by incidents can occur in many different ways, including being struck by vehicles or falling objects, such as tools, construction materials, or flying debris. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes struck-by accidents as one of the most dangerous types of accidents that occur in construction zones. However, these accidents can also occur in other areas and industries.

OSHA also recognizes caught-in or between hazards as among the most fatal types of hazards for construction workers and those in the manufacturing industry. A caught-between accident may occur if an individual becomes pinned between a vehicle and an immovable object, such as a wall, or if a worker’s limb becomes caught in machinery.

Common Injuries from Struck-By and Caught-Between Accidents

In most cases, individuals will recognize when they’ve sustained caught-between and struck-by injuries because of their traumatic nature. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that even if you believe you escaped from a struck-by or caught-between accident without major injuries, you should always seek medical treatment.

Some of the injuries resulting from these accidents may be internal and might not display symptoms for the first few hours or days. A medical professional can make sure you didn’t sustain more severe injuries than you realize and can help you receive the treatment you need if necessary.

Injuries Caused by Struck-By Accidents

Struck-by accidents may result in various types of serious injuries, including:

  • Traumatic brain injuries caused by objects striking your head, particularly if you were not wearing personal protective equipment
  • Spinal cord injuries caused by objects hitting your spine or knocking you over, causing spinal damage when you hit the ground
  • Broken bones and internal organ damage caused by the blunt force trauma of the object impacting your body
  • Soft tissue injuries, including sprained, strained, or torn muscles, ligaments, and tendons, due to how the object struck you

Many struck-by injuries require medical intervention and can lead to long-term complications without proper treatment.

Injuries Caused by Caught-Between Accidents

Caught-between accidents can cause some of the same catastrophic injuries as struck-bys. However, the exact types of injuries caused by caught-between accidents are slightly different. These injuries may include:

  • Crushed or amputated limbs from getting caught in heavy equipment
  • Catastrophic internal organ damage from the body being pinned between two or more objects
  • Suffocation due to the chest cavity not being able to expand and bring air into the lungs, such as in the case of a trench collapse that traps workers

In many caught-between incidents, immediate medical attention is crucial. These injuries can often be fatal if victims don’t receive the medical treatment they need in a timely fashion.

Long-Term Effects of Struck-By and Caught-Between Accidents

Many struck-by and caught-between accidents have long-term or permanent effects on victims due to their life-altering characteristics. Depending on the extent and severity of your injuries, you may never fully recover and return to your pre-injury condition.

For example, if you sustained a traumatic brain injury after being struck by falling scaffolding at a construction site, you can continue to suffer from cognitive or physical impairment for the rest of your life. Or, if your arm was caught between moving machinery, it may have been crushed, and you may never regain full use of it.

Because these incidents can leave you with a permanent disability, it’s vital that you work with a knowledgeable and compassionate lawyer who can assess the future impact of your injuries and help you seek compensation accordingly.

What Compensation Can I Receive for Struck-By or Caught-Between Injuries?

After sustaining injuries in a struck-by or caught-between incident, you can seek compensation for the various losses caused by your injuries. This compensation may cover:

  • Medical Expenses: Your past and future emergency care, medical treatments, medical devices, physical therapy, prescription medications, and other related expenses
  • Lost Wages: The income you lost or will lose because of the impact your injuries have on your ability to work, whether they prevent you from working entirely or at full capacity
  • Pain and Suffering: The physical pain you experience because of your injuries and how it impacts your daily life
  • Emotional Distress: The anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other psychological effects of your injury or the incident itself
  • Permanent Disability: The extent of your permanent disabilities and how they impact your life, such as if you must modify your home or vehicle to be accessible

How Can a Lawyer Help Me with My Case?

If you were injured in a struck-by or caught-between accident, a knowledgeable lawyer can help you seek fair compensation by:

  • Investigating the incident to identify the at-fault parties and safety measures that weren’t followed
  • Collecting supporting evidence, including eyewitness statements, accident scene photographs, and medical records
  • Calculating the total value of your losses and submitting demand letters to the relevant insurers
  • Filing your personal injury lawsuit within the time limit
  • Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf
  • Taking your case to trial if the insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation

Contact Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer at (877) 809-5352 for a free consultation with a member of our legal team. Our team is available 24/7 to discuss the accident details. We always have an experienced lawyer speak with you early on, so you can meet the lawyer who will handle your case. The lawyers you see on TV are the same lawyers you will work with in real life.

We can also handle cases from multiple angles, including personal injury, workers’ compensation, and/or Social Security Disability. This allows us to seek the maximum compensation for our injured clients by pursuing every possible avenue for recovery.